Review of Thom Swift – The Fortunate Few (Independent)

The third solo release from Fredericton native Thom Swift should help to further cement the songwriter’s already stellar reputation. Driven by the same haunted musical sparseness that drives Emmylou Harris’ Wrecking Ball, lyrics take centre stage throughout The Fortunate Few. The relative ease with which Swift connects with listeners via his heartfelt lyrics should be the template from which others could take a lesson or two. It is tough to ignore the blues undercurrent running throughout the record but believing that blues is the only trick Swift has up his sleeve would be doing everyone a disservice.